Shloka 26
अन्नदान-प्रशंसा (Praise of the Gift of Food) | Annadāna-Praśaṃsā
यच्छो भार्थ बलार्थ वा वित्तमस्ति तवानघ । तेन ते ब्राह्मणा: पूज्या: स्वधर्ममनुतिष्ठता
yac cho bhārtha balārtha vā vittam asti tavānagha | tena te brāhmaṇāḥ pūjyāḥ svadharmam anutiṣṭhatā, anagha ||
قال بهيشما: «يا من لا إثم عليه، أيّ مال تملكه—سواء أكان لزيادة بهاء جسدك وبيتِك أم لزيادة قوّتك—فبه أكرِم البرهمنة وأعِنهم، وأنت ثابت على أداء واجبك المرسوم وفق الدارما.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Wealth is not merely for personal comfort or power; it should be directed toward dharmic purposes—especially honoring and supporting Brahmanas—while one remains faithful to one’s own prescribed duties (svadharma).
In the Anushasana Parva’s instruction section, Bhishma continues advising the royal listener on righteous conduct. Here he emphasizes proper use of wealth: even resources intended for household dignity or strength should be employed in reverence and support of Brahmanas as part of living one’s dharma.